'I don't really care' - Eddie Howe's eyebrow-raising response to Newcastle United defeat at Man Utd
Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle United: Eddie Howe has had his say on his side’s 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Patrick Dorgu scored the only goal of the game as Newcastle United fell to a Boxing Day defeat away to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
It’s another away day without a win for The Magpies, who have lost every match in which they have conceded first in the Premier League this season.
Dorgu’s volley midway through the second half was enough to secure three points for an under-strength Man United side who had just 33% of the ball at home compared to Newcastle’s 67%.
Yet Eddie Howe’s side were unable to find a way back into the game as Manchester United managed to sit back and hold out for three points.
Eddie Howe reacts to Manchester United 1-0 Newcastle United
The Newcastle boss felt his side missed an opportunity to pick up a much-needed three points on the road.
“A difficult one for us again to work out, really, because I thought there was a real opportunity for us tonight, especially in that first half, to grab the game, particularly in midfield,” Howe said.
“I just felt we turned the ball over far too much in that first period to gain the control that we wanted. It made it a transitional game for us, which, as the away team, we never want.
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“The second half was much better. We controlled the game much better with the ball. The build-up was really good.
“We created chances, we just didn’t create outstanding chances - the type of chances you need to score. So we’re desperately disappointed.”
While Newcastle remain in the bottom half of the Premier League table and with just one away win in the league all season, Howe still took time to focus on the positives.
“I think you could make an argument that we should have got something today, but ultimately we haven’t,” Howe admitted. “And we’ve had that feeling too many times on the road this year.
“Since the last international break — bar one big blip [v Sunderland] — I feel our performances have been better. Today was another step forward in performance terms, but no-one really wants to hear that because the result is the most important thing.
“Away from home, chance creation and keeping clean sheets are absolutely crucial, and we haven’t done either well enough.”
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Eddie Howe hits back at ‘irrelevant’ Newcastle United concern
Newcastle’s away struggles have been a big concern this season with - the 4-1 win at Everton aside - the side struggling to score or pick up points on the road.
But Howe deemed the concerns over his side’s away form as ‘irrelevant’ as he looks to improve his side on the whole, regardless of whether it’s at St James’ Park or on the road.
“We just need to look at the performances in isolation, whether they're home or away, it's irrelevant, really,” Howe added. “I think it's about what the team's identity is on that day and how it plays.
“If it's home or away, for me, I don't really care. So, you look back to the Chelsea game and for 45 minutes, we were excellent, everything that we want to be.
“For the second half, I think we were as good without the goals. So, I think we're closer, as I say, for me, than we've been before this season, but we've still got areas to improve.
“We need to keep more clean sheets. We haven't kept a clean sheet in a long time in the Premier League.